South Africa’s lion petting industry: we spent three years investigating and here’s what we found
Originally published by The Conversation – Articles (AFRICA) — Read the original article →
An estimated 8,000 lions are held in captivity in South Africa in about 350 places, ranging from zoos to tourism venues where people can interact up close with the big cats. Lions are also bred for live trade, trade in body parts and captive hunts.
Along with other predators, captive lions are held in conditions that vary from small enclosures of 250 square metres to larger enclosures of 5,000 square metres with more naturalistic features. Cubs, however, are often kept in crates or small pens.
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Lion farming in South Africa: fresh evidence adds weight to fears of link with illegal bone trade
